Digiovanni: Downingtown friends meet again
Friday is the Battle of The Brandywine as old friends Downingtown East and Downingtown West square off for their yearly battle that elicits very high emotions on both sides of the aisle. At first glance it would appear that Downingtown East, who is sitting at 6-1 on the season, will easily dispatch the Whippets who are fighting for their playoff lives. Downingtown West is 4-4 on the season after a 1-2 start.
The Whippets got that 1-2 mark by playing possibly the best team in District 1 6A in Garnet Valley and a high powered Perkiomen Valley squad. But, the Whippets are a very good team and have looked like the team many thought they would be the last two weeks. Downingtown West did everything but win against Coatesville, losing in the final seconds and then defeated a very good Bishop Shanahan squad last week.
As corny as it sounds, you really can throw the records out when these two Downingtown teams meet. Downingtown likes to think they are the epicenter of football in the area and the district, in fact. This game means more than Ches-Mont League standings and playoff points, it means bragging rights for an entire year in a community where football is still king.
These Downingtown kids played against each other when they were younger and now are on opposite sides and while many are friends, no one wants to beat the opposition any more than the Downingtown kids. Football is very important in the borough and in Lionville and this is the game of the season for both squads and staff.
Friday, Kottmeyer Stadium will be packed to the brim and both sides will be sky high before the kick off. The game usually is a very close one and in years past, both coaching staffs have shown a new wrinkle for their crosstown friends. Even some non football fans in Downingtown are interested in this games final score and is the talk of the township all week.
This game is really a celebration of football. These kids have dreamed of playing in this game since the first time they strapped on a chin strap. it is that important in Downingtown. And this year, Downingtown East needs a win to keep pace for the Ches-Mont National Division title and a possible top four spot in the 6A playoffs.
Downingtown West may be the more desperate team as the Whippets are currently sitting at number 17 in the 6A race, one spot out of the golden 16 that qualify for the district playoffs. Before the season many thought the Whippets would be a top four team in District 1.
A brutal early schedule and some injuries derailed those hopes but the Whippets are coming into this game playing their best football of the season. The Whippets offense has come alive and the defense last week against Bishop Shanahan was outstanding. A win over the Cougars would likely put the Whippets in the playoffs and make the season for the Whippets.
This is a very big neighborhood rivalry and because of the pedigree and history of the two programs, the outcome not only reverberates in Downingtown, but the entire district. two good coaching staffs and a bunch of coached up kids that just love football.
That is what this game is about. Football is at its best when two teams give it their all and leave it all out on the field. Friday, the two Downingtown teams will show what a great game high school football is.
They do it every year.
